Industry News

Employee benefits platform Heka has launched a workforce prediction tool designed to help employers identify emerging health and wellbeing risks before they translate into absence, presenteeism, employee turnover or healthcare claims.

Nearly nine in 10 (87 per cent) UK employers believe they have a responsibility to support employees with health conditions before they reach the point of long-term sickness absence.

Virgin Active has reported a 21 per cent year-on-year increase in corporate membership, suggesting employer appetite for physical wellbeing support is growing. But perhaps more significant is the reason behind that growth.

Menopause symptoms can leave women leaders feeling depleted at work, with researchers warning that employers risk creating unnecessary barriers to career progression when the impact goes unrecognised or unsupported.

AI healthcare company Sword has agreed to acquire Headspace in a deal that could significantly expand the use of AI-supported mental healthcare across employer health and wellbeing provision.

Almost one in four senior leaders expect employees who resist organisational change to “simply adapt”, despite only 21 per cent of leaders describing their latest major transformation as a clear success.

Plans for Britain’s first Workplace Health System have been set out as part of efforts to prevent people leaving employment because of ill health and give employers earlier access to health and return-to-work support.

Winners of this year’s Menopause & Menstruation Friendly Employer Awards have been announced – and the companies recognised suggest that UK employers are moving beyond menopause awareness towards more measurable changes in workplace culture, training and employee support.

Critical thinking is the capability employees believe will become most important as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more common in the workplace, according to global research from learning and development company Insights.

Employers may be significantly overestimating how comfortable their employees feel talking about health and wellbeing at work.

More than one in 10 UK employers has never reviewed its workplace pension scheme to assess whether it provides value for money, according to research from employee benefits consultancy Everywhen.

Almost two-thirds of HR leaders and senior decision-makers admit their organisations recognise and reward office-based employees more frequently than deskless workers, despite most believing recognition opportunities are equally accessible.

The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has launched the first international standard covering menstruation and menopause in the workplace, as research shows employees increasingly expect employers to provide practical support.

Workplace finance platform Stream has agreed to acquire Salary Finance in a deal that will create a combined business reaching 5.5 million UK workers.

Workplace biophilic design specialist Universal Floral has achieved Carbon Neutral Certification for its UK operations after measuring its emissions and offsetting more than its calculated carbon footprint.

More than three-quarters of UK workers could return to work before they have medically recovered from an accident or injury because of financial pressures, raising concerns about presenteeism and the support available to employees during periods of ill health.

Difficulties accessing healthcare are costing the UK economy an estimated £17bn a year, as employees lose working time waiting for care and continue working while unwell.

Employees are spontaneously raising concerns about AI, job security and trust when asked about their wider experience at work, suggesting organisations need to consider the human impact of AI alongside technology, governance and training.